Spokane City Council Invites Spokane County Regional Animal Protective Services (SCRAPS) to Committee Meeting to Discuss Concerns of Inhumane Treatment and Policies
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Spokane ~ The City of Spokane is facing scrutiny after reports that fourteen dogs were euthanized on September 20, 2023. This news comes days after Council Members Michael Cathcart and Karen Stratton submitted a statement expressing their concerns about the unethical treatment of animals at SCRAPS, the organization contracted by the City to provide animal shelter services.

In response to this news, Council President Lori Kinnear has invited SCRAPS leadership to attend the upcoming City Council Public Infrastructure, Environment, and Sustainability (PIES) Committee meeting on Monday, September 25th.

Council Member Karen Stratton expressed her disappointment in not being notified of the multiple euthanasias. "It's time to reevaluate our contract with Spokane County and explore working with other organizations that will value, respect, and commit to ethical standards for treating animals," she said.

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Council Member Cathcart championed an amendment to the interlocal agreement in 2020 which was approved unanimously by both the City Council and Board of County Commissioners. This amendment set specific processes related to euthanasia. However, community groups and former volunteers have raised concerns about SCRAPS' practices regarding animal destruction.

Cathcart stated that his "driving force was to keep SCRAPS operating as an ethical public agency" when he proposed the amendment in 2020. He also noted his frustration with not being informed directly from SCRAPS about the euthanasias but instead learning from community members and media outlets.

The ordinance relating to animal control regulations was reviewed by Council at the September 11th Urban Experience Committee meeting and will likely be considered at their 6:00 p.m Legislative Session on Monday September 25th. The updated ordinance will look at amending the Spokane Municipal Code to align with animal control and shelter practices intended during previous negotiations of the interlocal agreement with SCRAPS ensuring a safe policy on euthanasia is implemented.

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The current Spokane County Code 5.06.060 (4) states that "Notwithstanding the holding periods referenced in subsection (2) of this section, the director may, in accordance with policy established by SCRAPS, authorize any unlicensed impounded dog be humanely euthanized if the director determines the animal to be feral and/or dangerous to the safety of humans or other animals, or suffering from serious injury or disease; or the designated shelter area for dogs is at capacity." Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns that these lenient director discretion policies are leading to unnecessary euthanasias due to capacity issues rather than justifiable health or behavioral issues.

The public is invited to view these meetings via live stream on Spokane's CityCable5 or via Spokane City Council's Facebook page as they discuss how best to move forward in light of this news while ensuring ethical treatment of animals going forward.

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